Animal Welfare Approved Program to Launch in Canada

April 2, 2009- Animal
Welfare Approved, a program that promotes the well-being of animals and
the sustainability of humane family farms, announced recently that it
has approval from the Canadian government to begin certifying farms in
Canada.

Labels
on Animal Welfare Approved products in Canada will read "This product
originates from animals who are raised under the standards of the
Animal Welfare Approved Program (TM)." The label will also provide the
Animal Welfare Approved website address. The Canadian Food Inspection
Agency considers certifying standards to be part of a label claim and
independent third-party certifiers must provide the public access to
its standards. The standards for Animal Welfare Approved have been
available on its website since the site was launched in early 2008 and
the website address will be on Animal Welfare Approved product labels.
"We are a very transparent organization," Director Andrew Gunther remarked. "We believe
in our standards. They are practical and science-based and people
should know what we’re about up front."

Gunther
says that Animal Welfare Approved expects to launch the Canadian
program by the end of the year. Farms interested in obtaining more
information about applying for the Animal Welfare Approved seal can go
to www.animalwelfareapproved.org , email info@animalwelfareapproved.org, or call 202-546-5292.